Nothing has derailed the Governors’ campaign yet.

Farrington’s bid for its first Oahu Interscholastic Association boys volleyball championship in more than 40 years is a popular choice, especially after a 25-20, 25-22, 23-25, 25-15 defeat of Waialua on Wednesday night in the Govs’ gym. Farrington advanced to the first of two possible White title games next Thursday at McKinley; it has some leeway thanks to the double-elimination format. It will play Tuesday’s survivor of Campbell and Waialua knowing that it has two chances at the title to just one for its opponent.

Tyler Liana put down 18 kills and Samuel Faumui added 13 kills, four blocks and three aces in the victory for the Govs (9-4), who couldn’t achieve a sweep but dominated the fourth set to win convincingly.

An OIA East team has won the White title the past four years. But Farrington hasn’t won an OIA volleyball title of any kind since the first two years of the league’s boys volleyball record-keeping, in 1970 and ’71.

The Govs, the East’s top seed, have a prime opportunity to change that. A move down from the Red to the White this season has helped, no question, and a championship of any kind would count as progress.

"We’re not a traditional volleyball school for the boys side," Farrington coach Reagan Agena said. "The kids are just kind of rotating in. I have a lot of first-year players. The progression, we are getting better. … I think confidence is key for us. As long as we continue to believe, we can definitely do positive things."

One of his prized veterans is four-year setter Shandon Ehia, a team leader who’s helped set the bar higher. Ehia delegated 39 assists for the Govs.

Ehia said a special bond among this group is the reason for the opportunity before them.

"We try to work together as a team on and off, when we’re in school we’re all together, when we’re out of school we’re still all together," he said. "That’s all it is. Every time we’re together, we feel more as a team than ever."

Farrington claimed the first two sets and led 11-4 in the third, but could not make that significant lead stand up. An 8-0 run got Waialua back in it and the Bulldogs played some crafty angles to take the frame.

"It’s just about the mental focus that we have. Not saying we get complacent, but we kind of relaxed a little bit," Agena said. "We just need to understand that it’s constant competition."

Senior Joshua Mendoza led the Bulldogs with 18 kills and three aces. Tyren-Jon Moniz added 12 kills, and Jeren Dingal had 30 assists.

The Bulldogs (6-7) struggled to match up with the Govs’ significant size.

"We haven’t seen them in the season. We heard they were really good and they were a tough team, so we didn’t know what to expect," Waialua coach Todd Cambonga said. "So now that we know, we’re going to prepare for Campbell. Hopefully we’ll come back for the championship."

Campbell 2, Nanakuli 1

The Sabers stayed alive in the OIA White losers bracket with a 25-18, 23-25, 15-9 defeat of the Golden Hawks at Farrington on Wednesday night.

Campbell (7-6) won for the sixth time in seven matches behind seven kills from senior Jacob Ka‘awa.

"This team has had a hard time with third sets, so it was a little worry in the third set," Campbell coach Alicia Antonio said. "But we told them, ‘This is your last chance, there’s no chances after that, this is for the seniors. Gotta do it for them.’ "

Campbell plays Waialua at 5 p.m. on Tuesday at McKinley, with the winner advancing to face Farrington in the title game Thursday. Nanakuli saw its season end at 6-6.